We hired a car (Peugeot 2008) and went on a grand tour of England.
We first headed to Canterbury for the day (hero image), it was hot and splendid, a beautiful city. We did a circular walk taking in all the sights and had lunch sat outside Ziti’s. We then headed over to Whitstable the location of our first of 7 Premier Inn’s. We had a mini walk around the harbour and ended up in another Zizi’s there for dinner!
Enjoyed our first Premier Inn breakfast the following morning, we then drove to Cambridge through the Dartford Tunnel – that was scary! Found the park & ride and did another circular walk around the city. Unfortunately all the colleges were closed, so we couldn’t go in. A wonderful city (it was hot again) full of people and cycles. We ate in the Premier Inn tonight, steaks – ok’ish!
Woke to a colder day for our drive to Gunby Hall, a National Trust house on the outskirts of Skegness. It was a long slow drive there through some quite heavy rain. Thankfully when we reached Gunby Hall the rain had eased some, so we were able to enjoy the wonderful gardens there. Then onto Skegness, huge Premier Inn right on the seafront. Skegness was a dump, we walked through lots of very tired amusements and some of the biggest bars I have ever seen. I had a bag of change with me so we played the machines for a laugh. We found an Italian for dinner and enjoyed pizza’s, it was very busy.
Breakfast was interesting, so many people eating as much as they could! Then onto Scarborough, another long drive stuck behind slow vehicles and camper vans. We found the Premier Inn in and parked up. We walked over the hill and into Scarborough, which was another tired looking seaside town, but a lot prettier than Skegness and less ‘large’ people. I was in my element taking photos. We walked around the Castle back to the hotel. The hotel was new and had wonderful staff, as it was a Sunday we didn’t fancy walking back into town to find a restaurant, so we ate in the hotel – burgers – fine.
Today onto Whitby for a look around and to get Elaine (my plant waterer back home) some Whitby beer. We parked up by the ruined Abbey and down the 199 steps down to the harbour. A very pretty place and we had a window seat for a coffee and eccles cake. Purchased the beer and then onto Durham. Parked up in the centre of town and wandered around, we even found our way in the back of the Cathedral. Hired a boat for a row down the River Wear, it was just the place to cool down for an hour. Durham was a very busy city, full of tourists etc. For dinner we went to Turtle Bay and I enjoyed jerk chicken and sweet potato fries – bloody lovely.
It was time to visit Beamish Museum on another hot day. We had booked the 10am entry and were one of the first in for the day. What an amazing place this was and what fun we had – all you heard and said was “Oh, I remember those”! We enjoyed a beer in the pub, a ride on the carousel, a ride on the tram. A very full day and we must have walked around 6 miles. Drove back into Durham City to enjoy a wonderful Italian meal in an extremely busy restaurant, full of students.
Left Durham and drove to Hadrian’s Wall, Housesteads Fort. We walked from there along the wall to Sycamore Gap, it was tough going all the ups and downs for 3 hard miles. Lots of people walking the whole length, loaded with huge backpacks etc. Sat and took the photos and then back via the easier footpath, just 2 miles. I really enjoyed Hadrian’s Wall, scenic views and to be out of a city for once. Over to the M6 and down to Lancaster and into Morecambe to see Eric and have fish and chips. This was our last stay in a Premier Inn, they had been excellent and perfect for a one night stay.
Today we drove South and into Wales to visit Glyn & Geena. Super to see them, Glyn took me around Rhyl, which looked like all the other tired seaside towns.
From here we drove down the west coast of Wales, through mountains and sea views. Stopped at Aberystwyth for a coffee and onto Sam, Gemma and Leo’s in Goodwick. What a journey, we were totally knackered by now. Saturday was a remembrance service, to celebrate their victory over some invading French 250 years again – it was boring!
Sunday we drove home, 5 hours. In total we drove 1,300 miles and really enjoyed the experience – time to plan Grand Tout No 2.
